Issue 9 - Feb 2014

British Museum Commission / Life Behind the Lens / A Career at Full Speed

creative / February 14

update

University for the Creative Arts Alumni Magazine

Issue 09

The Piano Man / Stars in her Eyes / Beyond the Blueprint

Welcome

Welcome to the ninth edition of Creative Update, the magazine of the UCA Alumni Association When preparing Creative Update, we are consistently overwhelmed by the wonderful achievements of our alumni and this edition is certainly no different. Over the past six months, we have yet again been spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing exciting alumni stories to include within this magazine, which is testament to the talent and capability of our graduates.

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Stars in her Eyes p10 Beyond the Blueprint p14 Makimg it Big in Smalls p18 When Life Takes a Different Course p20 The Piano Man p22 Life Behind the Lens p26 A Career at Full Speed p28 A Postcard from Mexivo p32 Art Therapy p36 Night Bus p38

memories

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advice

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With the Government increasingly championing STEM subjects in higher education, we feel that it’s vital to ensure that students who are creatively inclined feel encouraged and supported in their educational pursuits. With this in mind, it’s fantastic to see that, despite the recent economic downturn and its subsequent impact on the employment market, our students are continuing on to great success within the creative and associated industries.

It’s an exciting time for UCA students at present, with considerable investment and redevelopment ensuring that the student experience is richer than ever. A newly refurbished library and campus spaces and the provision cutting-edge facilities, are just a few examples of our continued investment in our student body.

Aside from celebrating the achievements of our former students, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those alumni who have supported UCA in recent months.

The UCA alumni team alumni@ucreative.ac.uk

(above): UCA Emeritus Professor David Buss views the portfolio of Charlotte Shepherd, the first recipient of The Invicta Creative Scholarship which David sponsors. Charlotte will graduate from the BA Hons course in Fashion Promotion at the Rochester Campus in Summer 2014.

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University for the Creative Arts | Contents | Creative Update

News

Newly Refurbished Elaine Thomas Library

UCA Farnham has officially opened its newly refurbished Elaine Thomas Library.

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Professor Elaine Thomas CBE, UCA’s founder Vice-Chancellor and a generous benefactor of UCA and its students, was invited back to the Farnham campus for a special ceremony and ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening.

Offering an extension of the studio environment, the Elaine Thomas Library has been designed to meet the specialist requirements of creative students. Rather than the usual rows of book stacks, the library’s upper two floors are arranged as a series of differently sized, book lined rooms.

This maximises the building’s sense of light and openness, uses space more efficiently and creates places for a variety of types of study.

The ground floor offers a new public face for the building, with a glazed frontage to the campus. Its character

echoes that of contemporary art space, allowing it to host occasional exhibitions, alongside more day-to-day usage for informal group working and enquiries.

The very first exhibition in the new space, coinciding with its opening, is an exhibition of Professor Thomas’ work, entitled Divine Antics, which will run until 21 March 2014. The paintings on display use acrylic and watercolour on paper and seek to recreate the effects of ancient frescos.

Simon Ofield-Kerr, UCA ViceChancellor, said: “At UCA we are keen to ensure that our campus spaces encourage the creativity of our students by facilitating individual and group creative work. The new library does just this and demonstrates the high design values that are so important to us.

“I am delighted that Professor Thomas was able to formally open the library which bears her name. It was her

vision which led to the creation of a specialist arts university spanning the South East. Generations of students have already benefitted from her commitment and these benefits will be shared by generations to come.”

Professor Thomas said: “I am honoured to have my name associated with such an innovative library, which has creativity at its heart. Students are enabled to develop and extend their creative practice in a dynamic and flexible environment. I am also proud that UCA has invited me to show the new paintings that I have produced since retirement in the splendid new Gateway area of the library.”

The refurbishment of UCA’s library was led by DRDH Architects and was completed in 11 months. As well as offering traditional library services, the Elaine Thomas Library acts as a gateway to a complete range of support services, including counselling, dyslexia support, disability support, careers and financial advice.

Elaine Thomas | Library | Creative Update

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Commissioned by the British Museum Poppy Porter left behind a career in law to pursue professional jewellery design. She was recently commissioned by the British Museum and has created a bespoke collection, which is currently on display as part of the ‘Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese art’ exhibition.

An intriguing amalgamation of traditional Japanese garments and Formula 1 racing cars, Poppy Porter’s jewellery is truly distinctive.

By fusing the strong, masculine and mechanical features of Formula 1 with the delicate, feminine characteristics of Japanese kimonos, Poppy is able to create uniquely charming collections which have helped her to forge a successful career as a jewellery designer since graduating from UCA Farnham in 2007.

(above) An image of the reversible fan necklace from the ‘Shunga Lovers’ collection (reverse)

Whilst exhibiting at the prominent ‘Treasure’ show at Somerset House in June 2013, one of Poppy’s pieces caught the eye of the British Museum. ‘The flowing kimono’ is an elegant neck/back piece which takes its inspiration from 19th Century Japanese print ‘A Woman with a Poem Card’ by Yashima Gakutei. Soon after discovering this beautiful item, the British Museum commissioned Poppy to create a collection for their ‘Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese art’ exhibition, which runs until 2014.

On designing the collection, which comprises of three necklaces, a cuff bracelet and a set of earrings, Poppy said: “The ‘Shunga Lovers’ pieces were created in response to a brief from the British Museum and it was great to be able to really bring out the Japanese influences that underpin my style. I incorporated an iconic image of a handheld fan from ‘Lovers in an Upstairs Room’ by the late artist Kitagawa Utamaro, into the design and ensured that the Formula 1 references were subtle yet discernible, which was primarily evident in my production technique. The signature process that I have developed is closely aligned to the lay-up of carbon fibre in Formula 1 car design and involves partly lacquering and partly inlaying a silvered photograph into anodised sheet titanium using resin.”

(above) An image of the cuff bracelet from

She continued, “I am really proud of the finished pieces and have had some good feedback from the British Museum who have informed me that one of the necklaces has already been sold. I haven’t had a chance to see the exhibition myself yet – but I am definitely planning a visit soon!”

the ‘Shunga Lovers’ collection

Poppy Porter BA (Hons) 3D Design (specialisms: metalwork & jewellery) Farnham, 2007

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Poppy Porter | 3D Design | Creative Update

Aside from her exhibition pieces, Poppy has a successful commercial avenue to her jewellery business, with her website and social media pages a lucrative platform for exposure and sales. She has also recently become the editor for the Association for Contemporary Jewellery’s bi-annual magazine ‘Findings’, which helps her to stay at the forefront of developments within the industry.

News

Will Alsop Joins UCA

of life and employability. It doesn’t always have to end in the practicing of architecture. I see fine art and architecture as being very closely aligned and I always use art as a starting point and inspiration for my designs. UCA allows for this cross over in their teaching of architecture. This is something the Head of School Allan Atlee and I feel strongly about.

“I also intend to encourage UCA students to make the most of being near to London. This is an incredible city with so much cultural activity – every night there is something happening. I want to make sure the students are making the most of this and tapping in to all this creative talent. To help strengthen the connection with London I am going to make some desks available in my studio for students. They should get used to hopping in and out of London as this is where the industry is thriving and where they can make their contacts.”

World-renowned architect Will Alsop OBE RA has been appointed Professor of Architecture at the University for the Creative Arts.

In a career spanning 40 years, Will Alsop’s buildings have generated critical acclaim internationally and are characterised by a consistent desire to create moments of delight and colour in the city.

His most celebrated projects include Le Grand Bleu in Marseilles, the Cardiff Bay Visitors Centre, the Sharp Centre for Design at the Ontario College of Art & Design and the Peckham Library which won the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 2000.

Will said: “Architecture is a gateway to many areas

Dr Simon Ofield-Kerr, UCA Vice-Chancellor, said: “This is an exciting appointment for UCA. Will Alsop is one of the most interesting architects practising today and I am thrilled that our Architecture, Interior Design and Fine Art students will be able to learn from him and work with him during their studies at UCA. “We are committed to offering our students access to some of the world’s most important practitioners, and Will joining our professoriate is further proof of this commitment. I also think it’s going to be great fun for both our students and staff.”

You can find out more about Will Alsop and the University’s range of architecture courses available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels on the website at: www.ucreative.ac.uk/ architecture-courses

Will Alsop | Architecture | Creative Update

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Solo Exhibition in Japan for MPhil/PhD Student

Textiles MPhil/PhD student Beverly Ayling-Smith back in UK following solo exhibition in Japan.

After noticing her work at the ‘Insight into Beauty’ show at the Embassy of Japan in London’s Piccadilly, the owner of GalleryGallery; a specialist textiles art gallery in Kyoto, Japan offered Beverly a solo exhibition, from which she has recently returned.

Beverly’s work focuses on the role that fabric plays in the emotional states of mourning and melancholia and aims to connect people with their unresolved feelings to help them to transition emotionally. The exhibition was a great chance for her to gain exposure and recognition and build her reputation amongst fellow textiles artists.

She said: “My solo exhibition went really well. I was in Japan for about 10 days and was able to be actively involved in the presentation of my work and the arrangement of the show. It was brilliant to interact with like-minded people and I received some really valuable feedback. Having returned to the UK, I now feel like I am better established within the community of textiles artists in Japan.”

Aside from exhibiting at the gallery, Beverly also used her time in Japan to further her research by visiting Kyoto Gedai University of Arts and the Kawashima Textile School. After listening to a talk

by Beverly, students were asked to share their responses to her work which, once translated, she is hoping will be a great resource to advance her research.

Beverly Ayling-Smith Textiles MPhil/PhD Farnham, Current Student

(above) Beverly’s work on display

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Beverly Ayling-Smith | Japan Textiles Exhibition | Creative Update

With over two years left of her MPhil/PhD, Beverly is looking forward to continuing to develop within her area of specialist practice. She has recently been approached to take part in the ‘PassionArt’ trail initiative in Manchester during Lent 2014, which will involve her work being shown in the John Rylands Library, and she is hoping to embark on more exciting opportunities such as this as her research progresses.

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UCA Partners with Turner Contemporary

September 2013 saw the first cohort of students embarking on the MA Curatorial Practice course.

UCA has partnered with dynamic visual arts organisation Turner Contemporary for the new MA course; Curatorial Practice, which is located at the UCA Canterbury. The specialist course offers students the opportunity to engage with art through curatorial activity and direct professional and public engagement with local arts organisations, biennales and public arts projects.

Vocational practice is embedded in the programme and experience of the course, which is available on a 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time basis.

Students not only benefit from the invaluable collaboration with Turner Contemporary but also a selection of other relevant organisations within Kent and the South East including; The Creative Foundation and Folkestone Triennial, Strange Cargo, Stour Valley Arts, Dover Arts Development and CRATE, to name a few. Course Leader Terry Perk believes that the postgraduate degree offers immense potential for students who wish to pursue careers in curation or a wide variety of related fields.

He said: “Although this course is in its very first year of delivery, it has proved a popular choice amongst postgraduate students and the feedback so far has been really positive. It’s the first course of its kind at UCA and partnering with the Turner Contemporary has significantly contributed to the richness of the student experience, course content and vocational opportunities. Graduates from this course will be perfectly positioned to enter industry within this specialised sector.�

To find out more about the course, contact Terry Perk on: 01227 817386 or tperk@ucreative.ac.uk.

(above) Image from a public event students developed and led at Turner Contemporary

Curatorial Practice | New Course | Creative Update

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Student Designs to Hit High Street

Current final year student Jo Hayward has designed underwear for Gossard after winning a student competition.

During the second year of her BA (Hons) Textiles for Fashion & Interiors course, Jo Hayward won a competition through design studio Courtaulds to create a S/S 14 underwear range, which has been picked up by lingerie brand Gossard. During her internship she created a ‘japanese blossom’ pattern, which has also been chosen to go into production; this time for the A/W 14 collection.

Jo’s creative process involves digitally manipulating images using Photoshop, and then layering them to produce distinctive patterns.

With two of her creations hitting the high street within the next year, she is eagerly anticipating what the future holds.

Jo Hayward (above): Jo’s designs

Jo Hayward BA (Hons) Fashion for Textiles & Interiors

She said: “I can’t wait to see my designs in stores – it will be such a surreal yet rewarding experience. Through the internship and competition process, I have been able to broaden my skill set; particularly my Photoshop proficiency. This has enabled me to realise more ambitious and complex designs and has been hugely advantageous to the work I have produced during my final year.”

Farnham, Current Student

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Jo Hayward | Gossard Design | Creative Update

With graduation rapidly approaching, Jo is keen to undertake an MA and would eventually like to own her own studio.

News

Film Festival Success for Animation Lecturer

Image from Four & Five

BA (Hons) Animation lecturer and filmmaker Andy Joule has had a short film featured in three festivals.

While visiting China as part of a UCA recruitment trip, Andy Joule made a short film focusing on the contrasting contemporary and traditional elements of Chinese culture and architecture. The film; ‘Four and Five’, has recently been screened at the Paradise Found, Cornwall and Streaming International film festivals.

Four and Five was shot in four cities and uses a mixture of techniques including time-lapse, live action and After Effects post-production. The film begins and ends with prayers and meditations in the Guangxiao Temple and takes a journey through traditional farming and river life, which is interweaved with shots of more modern aspects of 21st Century China and features a score by the contemporary experimental Chinese musician Simon Ho. Prior to his role as a lecturer, Andy completed an MA in Animation at UCA Farnham which followed a successful 18year commercial career as an animator and director.

His work was featured on shows such as Rotten Ralph and Bill and Ben and he also worked on commercials both in the UK and internationally, for brands including Apple Jacks, All Bran and McDonalds.

Andy now devotes evenings, weekends and holidays to furthering his research through filmmaking. His current work is heavily departed from his role in children’s television, which he feels allows him to offer more comprehensive advice and guidance to his students. He said:“By producing culturally insightful artistic films which are a world away from my children’s animation experience, I am able to use a variety of different filmmaking methods and techniques. This has opened up many new avenues of creative expression and points of reference as a lecturer.”

Aside from short films and his role at UCA, Andy has also recently made a music video for artist William D. Drake which has already had thousands of views. With another video in the pipeline, he is looking forward to continuing to evolve his showreel during 2014.

Andy Joule | Film Festivals | Creative Update

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A speculative internship application on Twitter transformed UCA alumna Jess Honey’s life and career. Now working alongside fashion entrepreneur, style icon and ‘Made in Chelsea’ star Caggie Dunlop, Jess tells Creative Update how life has changed since she beat over 200 applicants to become the new intern for fashion company ISWAI.

Jess Honey | ISWAI | Creative Update

(right) Caggie wearing Jess’ pink orchid skirt design for ISWAI promo’

“I

absolutely loved my Textiles for Fashion & Interiors course and throughout my time at UCA Farnham I was captivated by the creativity, talent and expertise that surrounded me. There was nothing better than being immersed in a vibrant fashion culture on a daily basis and throughout the course I was really in my element creatively.

After graduating from UCA Farnham in 2012, I found trying to establish a career after university to be a daunting time and after taking a part-time job at a double-glazing company to support myself financially, I was beginning to question whether I would ever be able to achieve my ambitions and realise my potential as a designer.

I kept an eye open for opportunities, and one afternoon noticed that ISWAI (It Starts With An Idea) - Caggie Dunlop’s ground-breaking new online fashion platform, was advertising for an intern. I decided to apply and soon forgot all about it, convinced that I wouldn’t hear back.

To my surprise a couple of weeks later, I received a phone call from Caggie’s mum and ISWAI co-owner Sarah, inviting me in for an interview.

I was offered the job shortly after.

ISWAI was created as a stage to help emerging talent within the fashion industry gain exposure and recognition, a business model that resonates strongly as a designer who has struggled to get a lucky break myself. The ISWAI team is very small so I found myself working directly alongside Caggie and Sarah right from the word go. Although I was initially a bit star-struck to be working with someone who I had watched on television just a few years before, I soon realised that Caggie is down-to-earth and passionate about using her profile to help young designers be successful in the fashion industry.

Jess Honey | ISWAI | Creative Update

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My role as an intern with ISWAI was interesting, exciting and varied from the start. One of the benefits of working for a start-up company was that I was able to contribute to all elements of the business, from admin and content management to buying, social media and even designing.

Not long after beginning my internship, I was personally approached by Caggie to design a skirt and swimsuit for her. Creatively, I have always been heavily inspired by Pop Art and 60’s and 70’s music and style. I digitally alter photographs that I have taken to disguise images within a pattern and use digital printing to transfer these onto clothing. I strive to create striking designs which attract attention and interest from both the wearer and those around them. With the skirt and swimsuit that I designed for Caggie, I used bold colours and feminine floral imagery within a psychedelic, eye-catching pattern. Thankfully, Caggie really liked the designs and even wore them to a few public events. The Daily Mail wrote a feature on my ‘Orchid Skirt’ and I was personally credited. Subsequently, sales of the skirt increased dramatically – which was one of the most rewarding but also surreal moments of my career so far.

Jess’ turquoise orchid swimsuit design

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Jess Honey | ISWAI | Creative Update

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After three months with ISWAI, I was promoted from intern to designer/developer and I think this really is testament to the integrity of the company, as they wanted to give me an opportunity to progress and develop as a designer. There have been too many amazing experiences over the past year to count, but there are a couple that really stand out. One of these was when I accompanied Caggie to Paris to attend a fashion trade show and another is the pop-up event which we did on the Kings Road, London, which was a great success and was attended by a host of famous faces, including some of Caggie’s ex ‘Made In Chelsea’ cast-mates. This experience was made even more memorable by the fact that I was chased down the street by a group of girls, who to my surprise were fans of my designs and who wanted my autograph!

I feel lucky that I am able to do what I love every day and work with such an amazing team in a company that is making a real difference to young designers. Although my career is only just beginning, I can’t wait to continue to work with ISWAI as it evolves.

If I could give any advice to those who may be struggling to establish a career in fashion it would be to persevere. It’s not the easiest industry to get into but there are opportunities out there and if you are proactive and committed, you will get noticed.

Also, I think it’s really vital to believe in your talent, because even though grades and job titles are vital, your capability as a designer is by far your most valuable attribute.

”

Jess Honey BA (Hons) Textiles for

(above) Jess (in dungarees) at work

What Caggie says…

ISWAI founder Caggie Dunlop exclusively tells Creative Update about working with Jess.

Fashion & Interiors Farnham, 2012

(left) Caggie modelling for ISWAI

“It’s been a pleasure working with Jess, she has a great understanding of the brand and how we want to position ourselves in the future. She is the perfect balance of practical and creative, lending her skills to every aspect of ISWAI as a designer and a business woman. It is great having her as part of the ISWAI family.”

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Teodosi Nikolov Graduate Diploma in Architecture’ (RIBA Part 2) Canterbury, 2008

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Teodosi Nikolov | Architecture | Creative Update

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Teodosi Nikolov

Beyond THE

BLUEPRINT We follow-up with 2008 Architecture alumnus Teodosi Nikolov to find out what he’s been up to since we caught-up with him back in 2010…

w

hen we last spoke with Teodosi he was busy immersing himself in his fledging career with London based Robin Partington & Partners (RPP) and was heavily involved with some prominent projects which were transforming London’s skyline.

Three years on, much has changed for Teodosi, who is now a registered architect following the completion of his Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Practice & Management in Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 3).

Teodosi is still working for RPP, who sponsored him throughout the latter stages of his qualification and the company has continued to prosper over the last few years - now boasting over fifty members of staff. The firm has acquired a number of high-profile commissions in and around London, giving Teodosi the opportunity to benefit from increasing responsibility on an impressive selection of pioneering projects.

One such project; 3 Merchant Square - a 21-storey, mixed tenure residential building in Paddington, which was Teodosi’s primary focus when he last spoke to Creative Update - is now rapidly nearing completion. He said: “I’ve been working on 3 Merchant Square for around three years and it’s incredible to see it all coming together.

It really takes my breath away seeing the sketches coming to life.”

Teodosi ensures that he is involved at all levels of the development of his projects, ranging from the early stage intricate technical drawings and physical models to the imposing 3D structures which are revolutionising local landscapes. He said: “I’m a very hands-on architect and I love being on site and involved in the construction process. It’s so inspiring to see the integrity from initial planning stages translated so well physically.”

Teodosi approaches being an architect from a refreshing perspective. He said: “Although architecture is a very

technical discipline, it’s the sociology of human interaction that inspires me the most. My points of reference start with people and how they experience their surroundings. Without people, buildings are cold, inanimate objects.

It’s the people within them who breathe life into buildings and this is always in the back of my mind when I am working on a project. This mentality is particularly important as a Londoner because whilst people often complain about the noise, the traffic and the overcrowding, it’s those very people who give the city its vibrancy and vitality.”

Aside from his distinctively personal style of work, Teodosi credits RPP with much of his development and professional fulfilment. He says: “RPP are fantastic. Every project is a real team effort and the collaborative, dynamic environment really motivates me to exceed expectations and produce my best work. I feel proud to be part of such an esteemed team of professionals at the forefront of the >

(left) 1 New Street Square, view from street, render

Teodosi Nikolov | Architecture | Creative Update

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I’ve been working on 3 Merchant Square for around three years and it’s incredible to see it all coming together

(left) Teodosi on site at Park house on Oxford Street

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Teodosi Nikolov | Architecture | Creative Update

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(above) 3 Merchant Square under construction

industry and to contribute to groundbreaking projects which will transform London’s panoramas for many generations to come.”

With 3 Merchant Square almost finished, 1 New Street Square is the latest project Teodosi is working on and a commission that RPP fought off considerable competition to win.

The £100million office building, due for completion in 2016, is centrally located - based only five minutes from St. Pauls Cathedral, and is the final piece of the New Street Square master plan. Teodosi is package architect in

charge of delivering the basement box and is also working alongside senior project architect Roda Sulaiman to develop the building’s external envelope. He says: “The requirements for this building are complex as the landscape is quite restricted, spatially.

We have responded to this by designing innovative external ‘butterfly shaped’ fins for solar shading which respond sensitively to both the local context and the London skyline.”

Looking ahead, Teodosi aspires to become a project architect in the near future and be in a position to

design and deliver an award-winning building, which he would consider to be the ‘ultimate achievement’. He is also eagerly anticipating the exciting times ahead with Robin Partington & Partners and in collaboration with their clients, to designing great buildings that will enhance both landscapes and lives.

Visit http://www.rpplondon.com/ to find out more about Robin Partington & Partners.

Teodosi Nikolov | Architecture | Creative Update

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Joanna Ketterer BA Printed Textiles Farnham, 2004 (above) Images of Luva Huva items (right) Images of Luva Huva items (top right) In the Studio

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Joanna Ketterer | Luva Huva | Creative Update

Making it big in smalls UCA Printed Textiles alumna Joanna Ketterer’s ethical underwear company ‘Luva Huva’ has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2008. Now boasting a chic London studio, celebrity clientele, accolades from the Guardian and healthy profits, Luva Huva is gaining impressive pace in the UK fashion industry.

Creative Update first profiled Luva Huva (pronounced Lover-Huva) in May 2010 when, despite being a relatively new business, things were looking very promising.

Joanna’s range of delicately handmade feminine underwear created from ethically sourced, sustainable fabrics, had already secured an order from ASOS and a large-scale Italian buyer.

order catalogue, the official website and our shop on Etsy, things are really moving at 100mph. We have a loyal clientbase and have even been able to expand our product range to include some items of clothing, such as summer dresses. We also now cater for a much more diverse range of sizes, which is great as it means many more people are able to enjoy Luva Huva items.”

As Joanna who graduated from UCA Farnham in 2004 describes, things for Luva Huva have progressed significantly over the last three years. She said: “Despite the initial success from wholesale and market trading, we now focus heavily on mail order sales. We produce four catalogues per year, which are distributed to our everexpanding client database and produce the garments at our studio in Brixton, London.”

Aside from mail-order distribution, the brand achieves online exposure through the official website (www.luvhauva. com) and also global online handmade marketplace Etsy. com, where it recently received the sought-after recognition of being named ‘Featured Shop’.

As Joanna explains, the success she has enjoyed has not been without its challenges: “Building a brand from scratch in the highly competitive fashion industry is not easy. You should be prepared to focus on a small scale to start with, as I did. Portobello and Southbank markets were great in Luva Huva’s early days as I made some invaluable contacts and was able to gain first hand exposure to my target market. There have been many times when I didn’t know if I could do it and there have certainly been lots of hurdles to jump. Having said that, it is totally possible to make it in the fashion industry if you are truly passionate and determined to succeed.”

According to Joanna, Luva Huva has witnessed a significant increase in demand thanks to finding a home in both the offline and online markets. She continued: “Between the mail

Now that her business is enjoying financial stability Joanna is able to cast her thoughts to the future. As the brand continues to grow, she would like to eventually relocate to a bigger studio and expand her team. She also hopes to further develop the product range.

Joanna Ketterer | Luva Huva | Creative Update

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mary-jane evans

When Life Takes a Different Course Alumna Mary-Jane Evans recalls how starting a Three Dimensional Design – Ceramics BA (Hons) degree at UCA Farnham transformed her life.

Aged 49, Mary-Jane made the brave decision to leave her home, job and life behind in order to pursue her dream of becoming a professional ceramic artist. This decision proved to be far more life changing than she could have ever anticipated.

Here, having established a successful career in the ceramics industry, with accolades including being selected for the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Mary-Jane reflects on her inspirational journey.

A Life-Changing Experience On my first day at UCA, I remember anxiously questioning myself, wondering whether I’d made the right decision by turning my whole life upside down. Thankfully this feeling was short lived. Going to UCA Farnham genuinely changed my life and I soon became thoroughly absorbed in the learning culture. My tutors at UCA were all fantastic and their invaluable advice, care and concern consistently extended far beyond the classroom. For example, my diagnosis of severe dyslexia, which was initially noticed by one of my tutors, was quite life-changing and with the full support of the UCA staff, enabled me to develop more effective learning techniques which allowed me to really excel academically.

Mary-Jane Evans BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design – Ceramics Farnham, 2004

If you are passionate about what you do, it will be reflected in your work and this is the greatest reward you could ask for

(above) A piece from the ‘Ruins’ collection

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Mary-Jane Evans | Ceramic Art | Creative Update

(above) A piece from the ‘Ruins’ collection

Building a Career in the Arts After graduating from UCA in 2004, I took up a residency in Bath where I then set up a studio and have worked hard to forge a career in the ceramics industry. I regularly run workshops and enjoy exhibiting all over the country. I have received some great recognition for my work, including my ‘Ruins’ ceramics collection, which is influenced by media portrayals of war and destruction and was selected for the exclusive Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in 2012 and then shortlisted in 2013. Whilst the imagery that underpins ‘Ruins’ is often horrific and shocking in nature, I feel that it possesses a strange beauty and I wanted to capture this in my work. I use a range of materials including porcelain and copper to create the pieces, which are multifired and corroded; a process which pushes the materials to the limits of their fragility. Aside from my sculpture work, some of my canvas sketches and other porcelain works have also recently been selected for the Royal West of England Academy Exhibition (2012, 2013).

I still feel star-struck when attending prestigious exhibitions. To be in the company of such distinguished

industry figures as Damien Hirst, David Hockney and Cornelia Parker, whose work has significantly inspired my artistic development, really brings to light how far I’ve come.

Advice to others For those wishing to build a career in the art world, the best advice I could give is to commit unreservedly to doing what you love. If you’re in it for the money, it’s probably not the right career for you. Although it’s very possible to make a living from art, it’s not easy, especially because the galleries take such high commission rates and the competition is so high. If you are passionate about what you do, it will be reflected in your work and this is the greatest reward you could ask for. Also, being creative with your career as well as your art can really help. Think of other ways to generate income aside from selling your art. For example, offering workshops and tutorials is a great way to supplement your income.

Most importantly don’t let anything or anyone get in the way of what you want to achieve. Every time I step into the studio, I get an amazing feeling and that’s exactly how it should be.

Mary-Jane Evans | Ceramic Art | Creative Update

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Simon Webster | Piano Man | Creative Update

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S i m o n webster

The

Piano Man Multi-talented Illustration alumnus Simon Webster forged a successful career in design before making the decision to pursue his first love; music. Four years on, the award-winning, self-taught composer has released an EP and written scores for some of the world’s biggest brands and most influential directors. He was recently commissioned to compose the soundtrack for ‘A Better Tomorrow’; a short film sponsored by Lexus and produced

by The Weinstein Company.

Simon Webster BA (Hons) Illustration Maidstone, 2006

(left) Simon Webster playing an old upright piano

Simon Webster | Piano Man | Creative Update

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I have always had a keen interest in animation and Japanese culture, and I was able to use these points of reference when piecing together the soundtrack

(right) (1) Image from ‘A Better Tomorrow’ (2) Image from the Peroni Nastro Azzurro ad (3) Image from ‘A Better Tomorrow’ (4) Image from the Peroni Nastro Azzurro ad

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Simon Webster | Piano Man | Creative Update

Feature

Whilst studying for a degree in Illustration at UCA Maidstone, Simon spent much of his spare time cultivating his passion for music. Outside of lectures and studying, he immersed himself in the rich film culture on campus and regularly composed soundtracks for student filmmakers.

He said: “The thing I loved about UCA was the unlimited potential for creativity it offered. Being surrounded by highly talented people from a range of different disciplines meant that I could develop several different skillsets simultaneously.

Even though my course was in illustration, many aspects were versatile and highly transferable which meant that there were a variety of career paths open to me after graduating.”

After initially pursuing a career in design following his graduation from UCA in 2006, Simon soon realised that he would need to commit wholeheartedly to one practice and devoted himself to establishing a career as a composer. He describes working with ‘Seven Pounds’ and ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ director Gabriele Muccino as his first ‘big break’. Commissioned to write the music for the advertising campaign of worldfamous brewing company Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Simon was able to draw upon his love of Italian cinema as he crafted an elegant score which perfectly complemented the advert’s traditional cinematography and classic Italian style.

With a world-famous brand and director to add to his showreel, Simon found that he had an increased status within the industry and with people taking notice, more amazing opportunities soon came his way. In 2013, after several years of continuing to further strengthen his reputation as a composer, Simon embarked on one of his most momentous ventures to date. To support their ‘Creating Amazing’ brand philosophy, Lexus enlisted the Weinstein Company to produce five short films, each by a different innovative director.

Simon was selected to compose the soundtrack for one of the short films, ‘A Better Tomorrow’; a charming part live-action part animation piece which tells the story of two children who are magically transported on a voyage out of this world when two captors threaten to steal a miraculous machine that they have invented.

The opportunity to work on ‘A Better Tomorrow’ was made all the more exciting by the fact that one of Japan’s top anime directors, Koji Morimoto was on board, collaborating with award-winning director Mitsuyo Miyazaki. Simon said: “I have been lucky to work with some amazing directors and producers during my career so far, but ‘A Better Tomorrow’ is definitely up there as one of the most incredible projects I have worked on. I have always had a keen interest in animation and Japanese culture, and I was able to use these points of reference when piecing together the soundtrack. Working with directors who are truly at the forefront of their field was challenging but they had an ambitious and elaborate concept which really pushed me to produce some of my best work.”

Simon has built his career in a niche area of composition. Although he is sometimes referred to as ‘the piano man’, he describes his style as ‘contemporary classical crossover with a primary focus on small ensemble orchestral and piano music’. He enjoys projects which offer scope for input and interpretation from a composition perspective. He admits that this can vary massively between directors with some having a very firm brief, whereas others are more open minded. He said: “There are a lot of different people involved in the production process and composers generally have to jump through quite a lot of hoops to try and ensure that scores fulfil the requirements, across the board. My main aspiration for my music is for it to resonate and connect with listeners on an emotional level and I always try to ensure that the final versions of my pieces retain their integrity in this respect.”

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E F I L LENS E H T D N I BEH

a highly niche carved a career in s ha e sh al W ug 2007. He is alumnus Do UCA Farnham in om fr g tin Film Production ua ad gr d on a ia industry since ors and has worke at er op m ca di sector of the med ea st deo award-winning vi y small number of nt el ce tiv re la e re th a g of in e ud on ns incl ith.

-profile productio ty Boy ft. Sam Sm gh au N multitude of high by a’ aL k ‘LaL for smash-hit trac

Doug Walshe BA (Hons) Film Production, Farnham, 2007 (above) Doug shooting the video for LaLaLa by Naughty Boy ft. Sam Smith

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Doug Walshe | Steadicam Operation | Creative Update

Feature

Despite the undeniable glamour associated with working alongside famous faces and household names on a daily basis, Doug is keen to emphasise that there is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes in being successful in the field.

He said: “It takes several years to fully train as a steadicam operator. I was really lucky because I began cleaning camera equipment for a production company who in return, let me practice with and rent their equipment for free. With such a long duration dedicated to training, quite few people actually manage to become an expert with this piece of kit. In addition, steadicams are extremely heavy and you effectively wear them as they’re secured to your body - this places a lot of strain on your muscles which may also deter some people from taking up the practice.

“On the other hand, those who do master the skill have fantastic opportunities available and an edge over other camera operators. Due to its exclusive capability to respond intuitively to environments, actors and circumstances, steadicams produce a smooth effect that is very desirable and enables complex movements. This means there is a high demand for operators.”

Doug has been enlisted by a range of famous brands and faces in recent years and his work has primarily been featured in commercials, music videos and television series’. With names like Adidas, Strictly Come Dancing, Lana Del Ray, Tinie Tempah, O2, Lacoste and Channel 4’s ‘Misfits’ embellishing his showreel, it’s not easy to pick a favourite. Doug does however, describe working on the recent music video ‘LaLaLa’ for artist Naughty Boy, as a venture that was particularly enjoyable.

For the video, which topped the charts in the UK, Doug collaborated with fellow UCA Farnham alumnus, renowned director and personal friend, Ian Pons Jewell. The song received worldwide attention and was nominated for a variety of prestigious awards. Aside from winning in both the ‘Best Video’ and ‘Best Song’ categories at the 2013 MOBO Awards, ‘LaLaLa’ also received a nomination alongside videos from stars such as Justin Timberlake at the esteemed Cameraimage festival in Poland.

Although he has achieved many great things already, Doug feels that things are just beginning to really take off professionally and he has some grand ambitions for the future. He said: “I think in general it takes around three years to be established in this industry and this is the first year of my career where I feel like I am truly part of it all.

I’m in a position now where I have worked on some really high-profile stuff and things are starting to snowball in terms of brilliant opportunities coming my way. I have an on-going working relationship with Ian Pons Jewell that began during our student days at UCA Farnham and we have some really exciting ideas in the pipeline, such as a feature film. In fact, there are a fair few fellow UCA alumni students who are making it big in the film industry at the moment and I have really enjoyed working with some of them.”

In addition to steadicams, Doug often works as a Director of Photography (DOP), where he contributes to all visual elements of a production. Occasionally his role requires his skills as both a DOP and steadicam operator, as was the case with the Naughty Boy video. On such occasions, Doug is offered significant scope for creative input – something which he relishes.

Doug Walshe | Steadicam Operation | Creative Update

(bottom left) Doug shoots Fairy Liquid commercial (bototm right) Doug (in green) on set in Bolivia

Doug has made a name for himself within a highly specialised field, with a skill-set that is highly soughtafter by production teams across the media spectrum. His expertise has enabled him to work with some of the UK’s most famous brands, biggest stars and most popular TV shows, which over the last six years has taken him across the globe to work on a host of exciting projects.

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Feature

A career at

full speed

Sophie Williamson-Stothert’s career as a motoring writer has just gone up a gear. In addition to her new role as a Staff Writer at Car Dealer Magazine, the ambitious 21-year-old has recently been officially contracted to write her very first book, which is due to be published in 2015.

Sophie’s life at the moment is all about managing her workload. In between her high-pressured full-time role as a motoring journalist and numerous freelance commitments, she is currently devoting evenings, weekends and any spare moments she can find to writing the next chapter of her debut book; ‘BMW MINI: An Enthusiasts Guide’. For the book, Sophie will pull together a 40,000 word timeline of the BMW MINI’s history and the links it shares with the iconic original British version.

She said: “I wanted to write my first book on a subject I have great passion for, as well as something I’m familiar with. The original Mini was a huge part of my childhood and teenage days – I learnt to drive from the age of 10 and was soon behind the wheel of my first raceprepared Mini, which I built with my dad at the age of 12. I raced for six years before putting my passion on hold to study at university. >

(right) Sophie putting an MX-5 Production Race Car to the test

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Sophie Williamson-Stothert | Motoring Journalism | Creative Update

Feature

I learnt to drive from the age of 10 and was soon behind the wheel of my first race-prepared Mini, which I built with my dad at the age of 12

Sophie Williamson-Stothert | Motoring Journalism | Creative Update

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Feature

Sophie WilliamsonStothert BA Motoring Journalism Farnham, 2013

(above) Sophie was highly commended by the Guild of Motoring Writers

Although my life is highly pressurised and challenging, I love what I do and I feel very fortunate to be where I am

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My first road car was a BMW MINI and I have just as much interest and passion for the new modern hatchback as I do the original, so that’s how I knew this was the ideal car to write my first book on. A major part of the book will be the motorsport section, where I will be exploring and explaining in detail the connections and similarities between the Classic Mini and the BMW MINI on the race track.”

Throughout her studies, Sophie was determined to be as proactive as possible in order to gain experience and develop a strong network of contacts. Within three months of the start of her BA (Hons) Motoring Journalism course at UCA Farnham, she had secured a work experience placement at Autosport Magazine, which provided her with great links to other top titles within the genre.

Sophie Williamson-Stothert | Motoring Journalism | Creative Update

She also undertook placements at Clive Reeves PR Agency and Propel Technology PR and completed freelance projects as a motoring correspondent, reporter and editor for publications including; Exclusive Magazines, The Bottom Line Surrey, Autosport and Motorsport news magazines and Racing Vogue; the British Women Racing Drivers’ Club magazine.

These opportunities proved invaluable for Sophie’s career development and soon after graduating in 2013 she was able to secure a permanent role as Staff Writer at Car Dealer Magazine. A short while later she was introduced to a commissioning editor through her network of contacts; a meeting which ultimately led to her book deal.

Feature

Being officially commissioned as an author has been a momentous accomplishment for Sophie and she has big aspirations for the future, which include writing more books, even perhaps outside of the motoring genre.

She said: “I have many hobbies and interests and a lot of goals for the future. One of these is to enter the world of television and to write many more books on the subject of the automotive and motorsport industry. I also have strong interests in history and creative writing, both of which I hope to gradually build into my career. Although my life is highly pressurised and challenging, I love what I do and I feel very fortunate to be where I am.”

(above) Sophie at Red Bull (Formula 1)

Sophie’s contributions to the motoring industry are already being recognised and rewarded, with recent accolades including; being highly commended by the Guild of Motoring Writers’ Sir William Lyons Award for young motoring writers in 2012, winning a UCA William Cobbett Award in the print category and a nomination in the ‘Rising Stars’ category at the 2013 Headlineauto Awards.

Having recently been asked to be a patron of ‘WOMAC’ (Women On The Move Against Cancer), a fundraising association made up of over 45 female volunteers from the automotive and associated industries, Sophie is even more keen to encourage others to follow in her footsteps and see their gender not as a deterrent but instead, an opportunity.

She said: “The one piece of advice I would give is to completely forget the stereotypes and put to the back of your mind that you are a minority. In my experience, it’s your expertise and dedication that will determine how far you go and how much respect you will get. Don’t feel like you are on the back foot, because you’re not. If it’s something that you really want to do then there should be nothing holding you back. Whether you are a man or a woman, breaking into this industry is hard and takes a massive amount of hard work and perseverance, but it is well worth it!”

(above) Sophie has always been passionate about the Mini

(above) Sophie accepting the UCA William Cobbett award

Sophie Williamson-Stothert | Motoring Journalism | Creative Update

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(right) Image from the Santa Muerte collection

Feature

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Angus Fraser | Postcard from Mexico | Creative Update

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05/14 MEXI

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Feature

CO

2010 MA Photography graduate Angus Fraser is undertaking his third trip to Mexico as part of his long-term photography project ‘Santa Muerte’ – a visual examination of an infamous Mexican cult.

Angus Fraser MA Photography Rochester, 2010

Angus Fraser | Postcard from Mexico | Creative Update

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I am writing this from the Hidalgo region, where my third (and final) visit to Mexico is almost complete. The temperature is a mild 21 degrees at 6am in the morning as I prepare for another busy day of documenting the people and places of Santa Muerte. My translator and I, along with our driver, are preparing for a two hour journey to visit a remote roadside shrine where a Santa Muerte oration will be taking place. By the end of this 18 hour day, I hope to have captured many more aspects of this fascinating folk saint.

I want the images that I produce to speak for themselves, as an accurate representation and unique insight into a culture which we know relatively little about. It is then up to the viewer to draw their own conclusions and inferences; positive, negative or neutral.

I have been working on the ‘Santa Muerte’ project for two years now as part of my wider photographic investigation into representations of death through the medium of photography. This particular branch of research was initiated during my MA at UCA Rochester, when I was examining both secular and religious shrines.

As with any culture, there are examples of people who take religious principles to an extreme level and although there were few incidents of this that I have witnessed, these could be said to give negative perceptions of Santa Muerte some credibility.

Santa Muerte or ‘Saint Death’ is a Mexican cult which has gained an infamous reputation, born primarily from its close associations with some undesirable elements of Mexican culture.

After conducting some research, I was intrigued by the elusive and mysterious nature of this sub-culture and decided to conduct a long-term examination of the people behind the headlines. I wanted to investigate their motivations, psyche and experiences through my camera, from an unbiased perspective and I realised that this could only be achieved by immersing myself in their world.

No textbooks, websites or travel magazines could have replicated the things that I have experienced during my three visits to Mexico. The vibrancy, noise, sights and smells of the culture are inimitable and have given me a truly authentic insight into Santa Muerte.

Booking a plane ticket to Mexico was straightforward but infiltrating a culture that operates on the periphery of a society, and which the dominant Mexican Catholic Church regard as satanic, was more of a challenge. I undertook a massive amount of research prior to each visit and found a fantastic translator who helped me to arrange meetings with many Santa Muerte members. This enabled me to gain unprecedented access to various places of significance.

Despite the negative media portrayals and sensationalist reporting often featured in the American press, I have approached the project from a neutral stand-point; unprejudiced and unbiased. It’s important to stress that I have no intention to impress any of my personal opinions or emotions onto the work in this collection.

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Angus Fraser | Postcard from Mexico | Creative Update

Throughout my time with the devotees of Santa Muerte, I feel I have been able to develop a comprehensive insight into their lives. With access to their families, homes, sacred shrines and even prison cells, I have been able to capture how they really live and through photography, allow them to express their relationship with their beliefs.

For the most part though, the people I have met have been warm and welcoming and part of a community of people who have formed a sub-culture in response to exclusion by the dominant religious system. This is not to say that the negative perceptions so heavily associated with Santa Muerte are completely unfounded, but more that perhaps there are segments of the community who experience the cult in a less sinister capacity than common representations give credit for.

Through my photography, I believe the striking normality of many of the families who I have come into contact with has been portrayed.

The work that I produced from my first two trips to Mexico has been well received and I am thrilled that the project has already gained an assortment of prestigious accolades.

One portrait from the collection was selected for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize at the National Portrait Gallery in London and is being exhibited for three months, before it will tour the country. During 2013, the project was also selected for the prominent Arles Photography Festival in France and China House in Malaysia.

When I arrive back in the UK, I will devote a considerable amount of time to sorting through the 80GB or so worth of images and 80 sheets of 5x4 negative film that I have produced during this trip in order to complete ‘Santa Muerte’. I have used a combination of large-format analogue equipment and high-end medium format digital kit during this project and therefore there are time-consuming procedures which take place after the photographs have been taken in order to ready them for public viewing.

My ultimate goal is to produce a book and secure a solo exhibition to showcase ‘Santa Muerte’ in its entirety.

I want the images that I produce to speak for themselves, as an accurate representation and unique insight into a culture which we know relatively little about.

(above) Images from the Santa Muerte collection

Angus Fraser | Postcard from Mexico | Creative Update

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Feature

Art Therapy UCA has awarded ‘The Elfriede Windsor Scholarship’ to Deborah Humm, who has used art to help her come to terms with a medical condition.

Deborah Humm has a fascinating relationship with art, which is helping her to gain a greater understanding of her multiple sclerosis (MS) condition on a personal, public and even scientific level.

She has recently been awarded a scholarship to progress her studies to MA level and is now mid-way through her first year of the MA Fine Art course at UCA Canterbury, which she has opted to do part-time.

Art became a vehicle of expression for Deborah during her foundation degree at UCA in 2006, which was around the same time she began feeling unwell. Her symptoms continued to worsen during her BA (Hons) degree yet the cause was still unknown, so she decided to take a break from her studies following the completion of her second year. She returned to her final year on a part-time basis in 2011 and it was during this time that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

The highly creative nature of her studies offered a method through which Deborah could visually

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articulate the frustrations of living with neurological symptoms, something which she has found cathartic and beneficial. She said: “The last few years have been really challenging but I have found significant emotional relief through art. By creating external representations of the internal miscommunications I suffer from, I’ve been able to express my symptoms and feelings, which has helped me to come to terms with my condition.

I have also found that my art has helped others to better relate to MS and comprehend the frustration which arises from the disparity between muscular and neurological capabilities.

It also brought to light the realisation that everybody struggles with physical and mental difficulties in one way or another, and in this respect I hope that my work can help to connect people.”

During her BA, Deborah developed a strong interest in investigating the relationship between art and science and her work explored this issue in innovative and intriguing ways. Her final project comprised of two components; ‘Loss of Signal?’

Deborah Humm | Elfriede Windsor Scholarship | Creative Update

and ‘DEF*GABC*D’. Both pieces were designed to heighten people’s awareness of the frustration, miscommunication and randomness of MS symptoms.

Loss of Signal? is a large scale piece which forces whole body movement and coordination as the participant navigates a length of a straight pipe with a hoop connected to an electric circuit. With each point of connection a buzzer is sounded which signals failure to complete the task correctly or completely, evoking feelings of frustration, perseverance and a sense of being watched.

DEF*GABC*D required participants to listen to the scale of D major, which lasts for six minutes, on a looping soundtrack. Throughout the experience, listeners gradually pick up on the subtle eccentricities, skips and mistakes which are an integral part of a scale that on first impressions seems straight-forward, pleasant and simplistic. The resulting emotions experienced are annoyance, irritation and frustration.

Feature

Deborah Humm MA Fine Art, Canterbury, current student

(above) A piece from Deborah’s A Moment series

I have also found that my art has helped others to better relate to MS and comprehend the frustration which arises from the disparity between muscular and neurological capabilities Following the completion of DEF*GABC*D, Deborah was able to collaborate with the MS Therapy Centre to further expand its reach.

She is very interested in the continued development of the piece through her MA as she progresses her research into her areas of interest. She hopes to join forces with neurologists and scientific research bodies to help deepen her understanding and strengthen the potential influence of her findings.

She said: “UCA have been amazing and without their continued support and the help of the scholarship I’m not sure I would be where I am today. Upon graduating from my MA, I am aiming to

be at a level where I have substantial research and experience which will enable me to hopefully secure grants to fund future projects as my practice continues to evolve.”

Aside from her MA, Deborah has also recently written an article for the arts organisation the ‘AXNS collective’, which is due to be published within their journal. She is also in the early stages of a collaborative initiative with the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic in Edinburgh, as part of which her work may be displayed on a long-term basis.

About the Elfriede Windsor Scholarship Funded by the Estelle Trust, the Elfriede Windsor Scholarship offers financial support to outstanding students progressing to a UCA postgraduate course in fine art or ceramics.

Elfriede Windsor, who died in 2010, ran Farnham’s New Ashgate Gallery for 20 years.

The scholarship that bears her name seeks to continue her work in helping artists reach their creative potential.

Deborah Humm | Elfriede Windsor Scholarship | Creative Update

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Feature

Simon Baker BA (Hons) Film & Video

(left) Night Bus official poster

Farnham, 1996

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Simon Baker | Night Bus | Creative Update

(left) Night Bus official poster

Feature

Following a high-profile commercial career, director Simon Baker turned his attention to making a feature film. He is now on the verge of completing his entirely self-funded project ‘Night Bus’.

Simon is currently in the post-production phase of Night Bus, which is due to be fully completed in early 2014. The film is already attracting interest and attention from a collection of film fans, festivals and major international distribution companies.

A genuine example of independent filmmaking, Night Bus has been entirely self-funded by Simon, who has called in a decade of favours from his network of industry contacts and used ground-breaking directorial techniques to turn his dream into reality.

The film takes place on one of London’s night buses during one evening and centres on the lives, emotions and interactions of its charismatic passengers. Simon has approached the project from a unique angle as a director, allowing unprecedented scope for the actors to interpret and cultivate their characters. He said: “It’s the actors who have really brought Night Bus to life. Instead of their performances being heavily scripted and managed, I encouraged them to develop identities for their characters; to facilitate organic interactions, based on rough plot lines and topics of conversation.

“I was amazed by what was achieved. Each actor devoted a considerable amount of time into shaping their character’s profile, considering every facet of their personality and lives. The result is an incredibly realistic portrayal of the encounters and interconnected lives of a group of Londoners. Such was the quality of the acting that if I hadn’t used movie-quality cameras; I think I might have had a hard time convincing people that Night Bus is a feature film and not a feature-length documentary.”

Aside from his intensive commitments as a director, Simon is also currently managing the marketing and promotion of the film – an aspect that will demand increasing amounts of time and energy as the project nears completion. He has high hopes for Night Bus, which has already attracted the interest of some big production companies. He would like to see it screened at some well-regarded film festivals and hopefully secure a distribution deal which would see the film available in theatres, on DVD and downloadable online.

Although Night Bus is Simon’s first feature film, he is an experienced director with a successful commercial background behind him. After graduating in 1996, he started out as a runner before moving on to online editing.

In exchange for producing a showreel for a production company, Simon was able to pitch ideas for music videos and his big break came when one was picked up and he directed the video for a band.

From this point his career really began to snowball and over the next ten years or so, Simon established himself within the industry, making music videos for artists such as; Barry White, UB40, Matt Goss, Peter Andre and Martine McCutcheon, and below-the-line advertisements for brands including Ford and Nokia.

Most recently Simon was commissioned by Channel 4 to direct two series of 20 short films for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. The films, which each lasted sixtyseconds, were screened in a primetime slot and received a host of online views, awards and positive reviews, which led to even more exciting projects. He is now focused on making Night Bus a success and showcasing his skills within the feature film sector to enable him to undertake similar and perhaps larger-scale projects in the future.

Simon Baker | Night Bus | Creative Update

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Memories

C eleb rat i n g

Kent’s Art School Heritage David Haste, former Head of Fine Art at Canterbury College of Art and the Kent Institute of Art and Design has recently published a book, ‘The Art Schools of Kent’ documenting the county’s vibrant art school heritage. He talks to Creative Update about the project.

David Haste, Former Head of Fine Art

The schools

memories

became idealised

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havens of free expression and unlimited ambition

Hundreds of government sponsored art schools were established across the UK in the latter half of the 19th century.

Apart from London’s renowned art schools and those in large metropolitan centres, which are well documented, this extensive network of ‘provincial’ art schools has been ignored. Although they shared similar forms of organisation and curriculum, all of these schools deserve to be individually portrayed and their specific histories identified through the generations of students and teachers who knew them.

To fulfil all of this and include the detail and focus demanded, I chose to tell the art school story through the example of one county, and one which I had come to know very well after a long art school career - Kent. By 1900 Kent had over twenty-five government sponsored art schools. My book celebrates their entire life cycle over two centuries, from inception to closure and in so doing defines the ‘English art school’, a unique institution upon which all nationally approved art schools were modelled.

David Haste Art Schools |ofCreative Kent | Update Creative Update Alison Dilnutt| The | Photography

Prior to the advent of these schools and apart from privately funded academies, professional artists supplemented their patchy incomes through freelance art teaching as drawing masters, who personified the normal ‘art education’ of the day. Mid 19th century Britain spawned few industrial designers, and the lack of any suitable training created an economic problem for the Board of Trade. After a lamentable beginning, some ‘design schools’ were set up but rancour and hedonism thwarted any progress. That was until the entire enterprise was handed over to the administrator of the 1851 Great Exhibition, that eminent civil servant and Prince Albert confidante, Henry Cole, who established a South Kensington empire that created hundreds of ‘art schools’ countrywide and in every Kent town.

The official, original and often repeated justification for establishing art schools was to teach designers, with an emphasis on ornamentation, not artists. Such vocational training seemed ill-defined at the time and eventually their initial mandate gave way and the schools veered towards ‘art’ to satisfy aesthetic appetites and the increasing need for art teachers. Across the years, the art school curriculum shifted across prevailing fashions, idioms and ideologies whilst conforming to set codes and ‘national standards’ policed and funded by local and national governments through formal inspections.

Memories

With their broad appeal across both genders and all classes, art schools were social melting pots and became renowned for a distinctive, celebrated and legendary culture. All of which embraced the seductive mysteries of ‘the life class’, the veneration of drawing and craft skills, the nourishment of artistic aspirations, formulation of architecture and design studies, articled apprenticeships, and the training of art teachers but above all, turning working class ‘Jacks’ and middle class ‘Jills’ and countless ‘characters’ in between, into professional creators: all of this as well as the distinctive status of being ‘art students’, staging events and exhibitions, holding parties and dances and claiming their art school to be the ‘best club in town’.

Kent’s previous art school abundance was reduced to three colleges, Canterbury, Maidstone and Rochester [Medway].

All three flourished as independent art colleges until the late eighties when they combined to form the Kent Institute of Art and Design. Whilst retaining each original campus, their corporate status was enhanced as was the recruitment and ambition at all three locations as they celebrated the ‘degree’ cultures in art and design and associated specialised crafts.

All of which accompanied widespread ambitions, which, together with a nationally led institutional reorientation of higher education, led to an eventual merger with the Surrey Institute and the creation of the University for the Creative Arts.

After being called ‘front-line art schools’ during the Second World War, the Kent art schools soon rejuvenated and expanded four-fold. In the following years with many more students, expansive budgets and lots of teaching, together with smart diplomas, colourful dreams and successive pop youth cultures, the schools became idealised havens of free expression and unlimited ambition. Such enrichment was characteristic of the art schools but it was not to last: eventually the Kent art schools fell victim to a remorseless cull. Within two decades

My story of ‘The Art Schools of Kent’ is about ‘art schools’ so naturally I conclude the narrative at this point but do so by stating an innate belief in the endemic value of art education and its assured continuity, as has been realised across the centuries in successive incarnations whether as workshops, academies or art schools. I am confident that, after all the many recent and fundamental changes, art education remains fully engaged and is poised for a successful future through new and different institutions.

(below) The three KIAD colleges

(above) The Art Schools of Kent black and white drawing

By 1900 Kent had over twentyfive government sponsored art schools

Advice

Jemima Marriott BA (Hons) Photography & Media Maidstone, 2006

Ma x imum E x posure Photographer Jemima Marriott offers some advice on how to get noticed in the competitive world of fashion photography.

Alumna Jemima Marriott has worked hard to make a name for herself as a fashion photographer since graduating in 2006.

Her work has appeared in many publications and she regularly works with some of the UK’s top modelling agencies. Here, she shares some of her experiences to give those wishing to pursue a similar career a unique insight into the industry.

Be Inspired I owe everything to the technicians and tutors who taught me throughout my Photography & Media course at UCA Maidstone. Fashion is a creative industry first and foremost and it is important that your environment and the people around you inspire you to reach your potential and create your best work.

Personally, I find that nature, particularly the coast, has a significant influence on my art. Not just in a purely practical sense but also from a creative, spiritual and psychological perspective. Ironically, I find that creating some headspace by spending

time outside of the studio environment can actually stimulate my creative thoughts and ideas. Being immersed in an environment with different sights, smells and sounds really opens my mind artistically.

Build Your Network You really can’t underestimate the importance of networking. Get to know the publications really well and use their social media pages to keep up to date with their latest activity. If you see work you like, make a note of the person responsible and contact them. Magazine launches and fashion events, such as London Fashion Week, are another great way of making contacts. Be bold and confident when approaching people and really get stuck in. My top networking tip is to be organised. I have created a database of industry contacts and magazine information which allows me to be methodical with broadening my network and helps me to keep track of industry events, editorial schedules and notable figures. After meeting people, communication is key. Keep in touch, nurture the relationships and keep your name out there. Make sure you are the first person they think of when they need a photographer. >

Jemima Marriott | Fashion Photography | Creative Update

advice

(left) Cover image from a shoot for Exalt magazine

Advice

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Advice

Find a Mentor Whilst building your network, you will meet countless people. If you meet someone who really inspires you, invest time and energy into building a relationship with them. I am fortunate to have a couple of mentors, who have both held highstanding positions within the media sector. The advice, support and opportunities that they have given me has been invaluable and has really helped to progress my career.

Stand Out from the Crowd Promote your unique qualities, things that will differentiate you from the crowd. For example, I like to develop personal relationships with the models who feature in my shoots. I find that a genuine connection built between the photographer and the model is conveyed through the medium and this enhances the sense of authenticity and realism of the work. Another attribute synonymous with my

work is the sole emphasis on the model. I feel that a lack of background distractions really accentuates the beauty and emotion of the model and this contributes to a dramatic and striking aesthetic impression. Have a good think about what makes your work inimitable and use this to set yourself apart.

Create a Team You can greatly enhance your value to potential employers by working as part of a strong team.

Find models, assistants, stylists, set designers and technicians who you’ve enjoyed working with and do projects together whenever possible. Be creative when putting a team together, there are lots of very talented fashion students and graduates out there who want to gain practical experience and people are more willing to help than you may think.

I currently have three UCA Rochester students who work with me and they’re great. If your team consistently impresses the right people, your diary will soon fill up.

Climb the Ladder The industry is highly competitive and it’s unlikely that your big break will come straight away. At first, focus on building your portfolio and making valuable contacts. You can also apply to be an assistant. This will help you to gain great industry exposure and experience and you could make some really valuable contacts. You are also much more likely to get some great experience early-on in your career by approaching the less high-profile modelling agencies and publications. Forging a career in this industry doesn’t happen overnight and you will have to be resilient as you are likely to encounter knock-backs. This happens to everyone and you shouldn’t let it deter you but instead make you determined to prove your worth.

Experiment but know when to say ‘No’ Be brave with your photography and always challenge yourself artistically. Fashion pushes boundaries and this can result in the production of some controversial work. Have a strong sense of your own morality when it comes to your involvement with controversy. Never be involved in something which makes you uncomfortable and could potentially damage your credibility but at the same time try not to always ‘play it safe’. Working on convention-challenging and thought-provoking projects which tend to gain a lot of publicity, can help to showcase you as a pioneer.

(left) Cover image from a shoot for SYN magazine

Advice

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Working on

convention-challenging and thought-provoking projects which tend to gain a lot of publicity, can help to showcase you as a pioneer

(above) One of Jemimas’ images

”

Jemima Marriott | Fashion Photography | Creative Update

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Advice

Taking Care of

Business

2011 MBA Creative Industries Management alumna Florence Harmelin offers five top tips for making creative businesses a success.

Florence has a strong background in business, which has been supplemented by her experience as a self-employed hand-weaver. Through her current role as a Programme Manager of ‘New Creative Projects’ at SPACE studios and her advice and support network ‘The Network of Atoms’, Florence utilises her expertise on a daily basis to help creative businesses to prosper. Here she shares five top tips:

01 Florence Harmelin MBA Creative Industries Management, Rochester, 2011

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Florence Harmelin | Business Success | Creative Update

02

Understand your business from the outside-in I have met a lot of really talented creatives who are great at describing their business from the inside-out but not so strong when it comes to understanding how things appear from an outsider’s perspective. It’s essential to be able to bridge the gap between what you offer and what others need if your business is going to succeed.

Devote time to understanding where you fit into the industry and who your clients will be.

Be comfortable talking about what you do You are likely have a great understanding of your own practice but you need to be able to effectively communicate this to others too. Whilst creative terminology and inspirational descriptions are suitable for some circumstances, you will need to be comfortable with delivering a more generic, concise and transparent explanation for business purposes.

Advice

03

Be versatile In a sense you need to develop a variety of different personas to enable each element of your business to operate effectively and efficiently. Running a business will require you to wear many different hats and just as we do in our everyday lives, it’s important to be versatile so that you can adapt to each role.

Creating an amazing product or service is just one piece of the business puzzle and it’s important to realise that thriving commercially is virtually impossible unless you embrace the fact that there are a whole set of business needs and requirements that you will need to manage.

05

04

Keep track of your financial situation Keep track of your financial situation from the word go, as this will save you a lot of confusion, stress and time down the line. Develop a basic system to easily record your outgoings, revenue, profits and losses, and maintain an organised filing system for your invoices and receipts.

Have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve over a three year period and what you will need to do in order to accomplish these goals.In the early stages, outline the amount you want to pay yourself and what your business costs are as this should give you a good indication of the level of sales you will need to make to ensure that your business is sustainable.

Use the tools available to increase your profile There are a wealth of resources and tools out there to enhance the exposure of your business.

By taking care of the basics, you won’t feel too overwhelmed and you can start enjoying the benefits right away. Once you have found your feet, you can progress to more advanced promotional techniques.

To begin, make sure that your website tells people clearly what they want to know. Your ‘about’ and ‘contact’ pages should be clear and full of useful information – making it as easy as possible for people to reach you. Also ensure that you use your website to showcase your work by including case studies and an attractive selection of images.

In addition, it’s advantageous to have a social media presence and ensure that your work is featured on reputable online platforms dedicated to your specialist practice.

For additional help, support and advice on these issues please take a look at the sources below:

Help for start-ups: http://www.startupbritain.co | https://www.enterprisenation.com | http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/webinars/index.htm On Creating & Growing your Creative Business http://www.thedesigntrust.co.uk | http://www.artquest.org.uk/articles/view/primer http://www.davidparrish.com/dp/uploads/TShirtsAndSuits_AGuideToTheBusinessOfCreativity_DavidParrish.pdf

Florence Harmelin | Business Success | Creative Update

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